A device intended to be installed in an aircraft, the device being adapted for functioning in a first so-called “on the ground” operating mode or a second so-called “in flight” operating mode, the device includes a radio module compliant with a low power wide area network standard adapted for sending messages comprising data issuing from a sensor and supplied by an energy storage element, the device being adapted for: (1) in the first operating mode: before the sending of each message, charging the energy storage element with a predefined energy, and (2) in the second operating mode: for each message to be sent, choosing a transmission power, determining, according to this transmission power, an energy necessary for the sending of the message by the radio module, and before the sending of the message, charging the energy storage element with the necessary energy determined.
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1. A measuring device for a monitoring system intended to be installed in an aircraft, the measuring device being adapted for functioning in accordance with a first operating mode referred to as “on the ground” or a second operating mode referred to as “in flight”, the measuring device comprising: a sensor adapted for measuring at least one physical parameter of the environment of the aircraft, a radio module comprising a transmitter and being compliant with a low power wide area network standard, the radio module being adapted for sending messages comprising measurement data issuing from the sensor to a radio access point, the radio module being adapted for sending each message with a transmission power chosen from a predefined plurality of transmission powers, an electrical supply source, a managing module comprising an energy storage circuit for supplying the radio module and being configured for managing the electrical supply connected to provide cutoff between the radio module and the electrical supply module, and a control module comprising a hardware processor that is adapted for switching the operating mode of the measuring device between the first so-called “on the ground” operating mode and the second so-called “in flight” operating mode, wherein in the first so-called “on the ground” operating mode: before the sending of each message, the energy storage element is charged with a predefined energy supplied by the electrical supply source, in the second so-called “in flight” operating mode: for each message to be sent, a transmission power of the radio module is chosen, according to this transmission power, an energy necessary for the sending of the message by the radio module is determined, and before the sending of the message, the energy storage element is charged with the necessary energy determined and supplied by the electrical supply source.
Aircraft monitoring systems require reliable environmental data collection, but power constraints and regulatory restrictions complicate wireless transmission. This invention addresses these challenges with a measuring device for aircraft that adapts its operation based on whether the aircraft is on the ground or in flight. The device includes a sensor to measure environmental parameters, a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) radio module for transmitting data to a radio access point, and an electrical supply system with an energy storage circuit. The radio module can adjust transmission power from a predefined set of levels. A control module with a hardware processor manages two operating modes. In the "on the ground" mode, the energy storage circuit is pre-charged with a fixed energy level before each transmission. In the "in flight" mode, the transmission power is dynamically selected, and the energy storage circuit is charged only with the energy required for that specific transmission. This approach optimizes power usage and ensures compliance with regulations while maintaining reliable data transmission. The device ensures efficient energy management by tailoring power consumption to operational conditions, reducing unnecessary energy expenditure during flight.
2. The measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the radio module furthermore comprises circuitry for sending a message according to a spread factor, the spread factor being chosen from a predefined plurality of spread factors, the measuring device being adapted, in the second so-called “in flight” operating mode, for: for each message to be sent, choosing a transmission power of the radio module and a spread factor, determining the energy necessary for the sending of the message by the radio module according to the transmission power chosen and the spread factor chosen.
This invention relates to a measuring device with a radio module for wireless communication, addressing the challenge of optimizing energy efficiency and transmission reliability in wireless sensor networks or IoT devices. The device operates in multiple modes, including a second "in-flight" mode where it dynamically adjusts transmission parameters to balance power consumption and signal robustness. The radio module includes circuitry for sending messages using a spread spectrum technique, where a spread factor is selected from a predefined set of options. The spread factor influences the message's bandwidth and processing gain, affecting both energy consumption and resistance to interference. In the "in-flight" mode, the device selects both a transmission power level and a spread factor for each message. It then calculates the total energy required for transmission based on these choices, allowing for adaptive optimization. This approach enables the device to dynamically trade off power usage and communication reliability depending on environmental conditions or network requirements, extending battery life while maintaining reliable data transmission. The invention is particularly useful in applications where energy efficiency is critical, such as remote sensors or battery-powered IoT devices.
3. The measuring device according to claim 2 , further comprising circuitry for, in the second so-called “in flight” operating mode, following the sending of a message by the radio module with a first power and according to a first spread factor, and in the absence of acknowledgement response from the radio access point: circuitry for choosing a second transmission power of the radio module and a second spread factor, for resending the message, the second transmission power and the second spread factor corresponding to an entry in a predetermined list, the list comprising the plurality of pairs formed by the plurality of transmission powers and the plurality of spread factors, each pair being associated with an energy necessary for sending a message with the transmission power of the pair and in accordance with the spread factor of the pair, the list being ordered according to the energy necessary for sending the message associated with each pair, the second transmission power and the second spread factor corresponding to the pair following the pair formed by the first transmission power and the first spread factor.
This invention relates to a measuring device with a radio module for wireless communication, particularly in scenarios where reliable message transmission is critical. The device operates in a second mode, referred to as "in flight," where it sends messages to a radio access point using a first transmission power and a first spread factor. If no acknowledgment is received, the device automatically selects a second transmission power and a second spread factor from a predefined list for retransmission. The list contains multiple pairs of transmission powers and spread factors, each associated with the energy required to send a message under those conditions. The list is ordered by energy efficiency, ensuring that the next pair chosen for retransmission is the next most energy-efficient option after the initially used pair. This adaptive retransmission strategy optimizes energy consumption while maintaining communication reliability in variable wireless environments. The device may also include circuitry for other functions, such as measuring environmental parameters and transmitting the data wirelessly. The invention improves energy efficiency and reliability in wireless sensor networks or IoT devices operating in challenging conditions.
4. The measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein list does not comprise pairs formed by a transmission power and a spread factor requiring an energy for sending a message higher than a predetermined energy threshold.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to a measuring device that optimizes energy efficiency in message transmission. The problem addressed is the excessive energy consumption in wireless networks when transmitting messages using high transmission power or large spread factors, which can drain battery-powered devices quickly. The invention provides a solution by filtering out transmission configurations that exceed a predetermined energy threshold, ensuring energy-efficient communication. The measuring device includes a list of transmission power and spread factor pairs, where each pair defines a possible configuration for sending messages. The device evaluates these pairs to exclude those that would require more energy than allowed by the threshold. This ensures that only energy-efficient configurations are used, prolonging device battery life. The device may also include a receiver for obtaining measurement data, a processor for analyzing the data, and a transmitter for sending messages based on the filtered configurations. The invention is particularly useful in low-power wireless networks, such as IoT devices, where energy conservation is critical. By dynamically adjusting transmission parameters, the device avoids unnecessary energy expenditure while maintaining reliable communication.
5. The measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the measuring device comprises a list associated with each size of a message to be sent.
A measuring device is designed to monitor and analyze data transmission in communication systems, particularly focusing on message sizes and their impact on network performance. The device includes a list associated with each possible message size to be sent, allowing for precise tracking and evaluation of transmission metrics. This list enables the device to categorize messages based on their size, facilitating detailed analysis of how different message sizes affect network latency, bandwidth usage, and overall efficiency. By maintaining separate records for each message size, the device can identify patterns, optimize transmission protocols, and ensure reliable data delivery. The system may also include a processor to process the measured data and generate reports or alerts based on predefined thresholds. This approach helps in diagnosing network bottlenecks, improving data transmission strategies, and enhancing the performance of communication networks. The device is particularly useful in environments where message size variability can significantly impact system performance, such as in IoT networks, cloud computing, or real-time data processing systems.
6. The measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the managing module for managing the electrical supply further comprises a coulomb meter.
A measuring device is designed for monitoring and managing electrical supply in energy systems, particularly for applications requiring precise energy measurement and control. The device includes a managing module that regulates electrical supply to ensure efficient and accurate energy distribution. This module incorporates a coulomb meter, which measures the total electrical charge transferred through a circuit over time. The coulomb meter enables precise tracking of energy consumption, allowing the device to monitor and control electrical supply with high accuracy. The managing module may also include additional components for energy regulation, such as voltage or current sensors, to ensure stable and reliable operation. The device is particularly useful in applications where energy efficiency and precise measurement are critical, such as in renewable energy systems, battery management, or industrial power monitoring. By integrating a coulomb meter, the device provides detailed insights into energy usage, supporting better decision-making for energy optimization and cost reduction. The overall system enhances energy management by combining real-time measurement with control capabilities, ensuring efficient and sustainable energy utilization.
7. A monitoring system of an aircraft, the system comprising: a plurality of measuring devices according to claim 1 , a radio access point, the radio access point being connected to an item of equipment of the aircraft.
The monitoring system is designed for aircraft to improve real-time data collection and communication. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently gathering and transmitting critical operational data from various aircraft components to ground-based or onboard systems for analysis and decision-making. The system includes multiple measuring devices that collect data from different parts of the aircraft, such as sensors or instruments, and a radio access point that serves as a communication hub. The radio access point is connected to an aircraft equipment item, enabling wireless data transmission between the measuring devices and the aircraft's systems. The measuring devices are configured to measure specific parameters, such as temperature, pressure, or structural integrity, and transmit this data to the radio access point. The radio access point then relays the data to the aircraft's onboard systems or external ground stations for monitoring, diagnostics, or maintenance purposes. This setup ensures continuous and reliable data flow, enhancing aircraft safety, performance, and operational efficiency by enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. The system is particularly useful for modern aircraft that require advanced data-driven maintenance and operational strategies.
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August 22, 2019
March 22, 2022
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